Steel is a ferromagnetic material, meaning it is strongly attracted to magnets. This is because steel contains iron, which is the element that exhibits the strongest magnetic properties.

Here's a breakdown:

* Magnetism: A fundamental force of nature that causes certain materials to attract or repel each other.

* Ferromagnetism: A type of magnetism where materials are strongly attracted to magnets. Iron is a ferromagnetic material.

* Steel: An alloy primarily composed of iron.

Therefore, magnets exert a force on steel objects due to the iron present in their composition.